PITTSFIELD— A Pittsfield man was ordered held on $500 cash bail after he was arraigned on a felony charge of beating another defendant while both were in a holding cell at Central Berkshire District Court.

Gregory Parslow, 27, pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon Wednesday. He is currently serving a 90-day sentence for drug possession.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that Parslow was a defendant in a May 3 drug case when he allegedly attacked Kouadjo E. Behanzin in the courthouse cell. Court security officers said Parslow, who was handcuffed, rushed Behanzin and struck him with his hands and the cuffs. By the time officers were able to enter the holding cell, they found Parslow choking Behanzin with the handcuffs around his throat, The Eagle reports.

Parslow was eventually restrained and Benhanzin was taken to Berkshire Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. In their filing with the court, court security did not establish a motive for the attack other than to say Parslow admitted being a member of the Bloods street gang. Parslow was released from state prison earlier this year after serving a term for armed robbery, according to court documents. He is due back in court in July.

Behanzin, 25, was in court May 3 to answer allegations that he stabbed another man and abused his estranged wife.